Chapter 72: The Cicada Senses the Wind Before It Moves

  "Alas, the situation has not changed from start to finish. You see which matter is connected to the four of us? I, Monk Guang, have always been upright and honest, never offending others unless they offend me first. Master Lin should know that in Water Margin, Leopard Head Lin Chong's endless tolerance towards High Inspector Gao ultimately led to what result! All of you are powerful officials, able to mobilize troops with just a thought, having thousands of people at your beck and call, capable of achieving things beyond ordinary people's reach. Yet I am alone, with no one by my side. If I cannot retreat and yield, I will have no choice but to stake everything on one throw, fighting for my life. Master Lin's words are not sincere, and it seems too much like empty flattery."

  "Alright, alright, a good man doesn't offend me, I don't offend others. Master Wang's heroic spirit is admirable." Lin Yuanfang was moved by these words and immediately had an idea. His expression didn't change, but he casually let out a "haha" and said: "It's just a pity that heroes of the past have always ended up with miserable fates. Master Wang being born in modern times is a waste. Moreover, I'm not a high-ranking official, and Master Wang can't be Lin Chong, so there won't be any intersection between us two. The reason I spoke to you like this is that I want to advise Master Wang to let go of Mr. Hong, and we can all sit down and discuss things slowly. You should know the principle of leaving a thread for future meetings."

  "This principle, some families naturally know, no need for you to explain." Wang Chan looked at Lin Yuanfang with a hint of coldness in his eyes: "We were never friends to begin with. If you want to kill me, be prepared to be killed by me. Between life and death, there's only a thin line. You say don't be impulsive and leave room for human emotions, but my mind has always been resolute. I won't harm others if they don't harm me, but if they do, I'll kill their entire family."

  "A person lives a life, grass and trees have a spring. When alive, one cannot just follow their heart's desires, pursue what they want, achieve their ideals, only to be entangled in many restraints and troubles throughout their life, never finding joy. What's the point of living then? Especially for someone like you, born into nobility, from a prestigious family, with everything handed to you on a silver platter, thinking your future is bright, believing yourself to be a precious gem. But I am a true martial artist, unimpressed by royalty and officials, looking down on the world as mere floating clouds. When it's time to cut ties, I cut them; when it's time to let go, I let go, without any lingering attachment. So don't try to deceive me with empty words, if you have something to say, just speak your mind, don't beat around the bush, or you'll only earn my disdain."

  Wang Chan stood behind Hong Changqing, standing like a mountain, facing Lin Yuanshan and the others, he was no different from an ordinary person. When he spoke, his words were piercing to the heart.

  Lin Yuanfang listened to Wang Chan's words and suddenly felt that this person exuded a fierce aura from the bones, with a pure heart, not afraid of power, no matter how he struggled, it was useless, and the stone in the toilet was both smelly and hard.

  Although he had known that Wang Chan was a difficult person to deal with, it wasn't until they met face-to-face that he realized he had still underestimated the other's stubbornness.

  "What do you plan to do, Master Wang?" Talking to someone like Wang Chan in a roundabout way was obviously the most tiring thing. It's better to be straightforward. Lin Yuanfang had been momentarily caught off guard by Wang Chan's words, but he soon calmed down and stopped going around in circles with him.

  "In broad daylight, you just killed Tang Niu and made an enemy of the Hongmen. If you don't die, the Hongmen will definitely not let it go, and as a mediator between your two families, the Lin family is really in a difficult position. Either you release Mr. Hong and have a good discussion with everyone, although it may still end in a decisive battle to the death, but at least it's open and aboveboard. Or you might as well just kill him off, and after today, there will naturally be brothers from the Hongmen coming to seek revenge. However, that would definitely involve open robbery and secret arrows, with no regard for tactics. That's how things are, the initiative is entirely in your hands, Master Wang. Lin Mou has spoken his piece, it's up to you to decide."

  "That's right, Lin Shao said one thing that's not wrong. Do you know that the Hongmen Society is a family? Tang Niu was killed by you, and Wang will also be doomed to escape. I, Hong Changqing, am worthless, if you kill me, you will also not escape the police's capture. In the capital city, how can you, a wild man, come and go as you please? Catching me is useless, either let me go or kill me, choose one of the two options. If you frown, Hong, it's not a good omen."

  Hong Changqing was indeed tough, both his arms were broken, and he was sweating profusely in pain. However, when speaking, he still showed his usual arrogance, without any intention of backing down. Moreover, he also saw the attitude displayed by Shao Nanhua, knowing that Lin Yuanfang was attracting Wang Chan's attention to create an opportunity for Shao Nanhua.

  Shao Nan-hua's hidden weapon kung fu was always accurate and deadly, a silent killer. Hong Chang-qing knew this better than anyone else.

  "So you're trying to force me to take a stand and kill you on the spot. But your words are actually in line with my thoughts, as they say, to resolve hatred, one must cut down their enemy with their sword. Although we don't have any grudges, if you want to kill me, that would be a huge grudge. Moreover, do you really think that if I killed you, the police could do anything to me? As long as I capture this Lin person, I'll naturally have a shield to protect myself. Not to mention that there are countless officials downstairs, any one of whom can summon the army and make them hesitant to act rashly. If certain families want to leave Beijing, it would be as easy as turning their hand over."

  Upon hearing this, Wang Chan suddenly burst out laughing loudly. Not only was he not moved, but his words immediately caused the faces of everyone in the room to change drastically. It wasn't just Lin Yuanfang, even Lei Feng's face turned pale, and a weak hum escaped from his mouth.

  No matter how hard they tried, they never expected that Wang Chan's temperament would actually become so lawless and unscrupulous to the point of taking hostages. No wonder he wasn't afraid to kill people here, provoking a counterattack from all the forces in the Imperial City Garrison.

  Without mentioning Lin Yuanshan's identity and status, even if it was any of the participants in the dinner party in Building 7 of the State Guesthouse, they were all holding important positions in the capital. If you really want to be like Wang Chan said, then there is indeed no one who can stop him.

  Especially now, the longer they've been in contact with him, the deeper everyone's understanding of Wang Chan becomes. Heaven knows whether this guy will go crazy and start a massacre in this building one day.

  "My goodness!" Just thinking about the scene, Lei Feng's over 2-meter-tall body couldn't help but feel a wave of weakness in his legs. If things really got to that point, he feared that less than half of the people in the building would be able to walk out alive. The sudden death of many high-ranking officials could even bring about an unprecedented disaster for the country! And this Wang Chan was someone he had brought in himself! "Heavens!" Lei Feng felt his head spinning and didn't dare think any further.

  He looked up to see Lin Yuanfang, who had been calm and composed just a moment ago, now looking just as pale and terrified as himself. Moreover, Lin Yuanfang was not skilled in martial arts and his endurance was even worse than Lei Ting's, so he was already standing still, swaying unsteadily.

  How can there be such a coincidence on this border?

  "King Chan, you mustn't be impulsive, this idea of yours is simply too crazy!" Suddenly, a burst of inspiration struck him and he shook his head to clear it. Lei Feng hastily waved his hands at King Chan: "Rest assured, this matter was originally just between you and the Hung Men, the country will not arbitrarily intervene. As long as things don't get out of hand, I guarantee in the name of National Security that no one will come after you." The implication being that even if King Chan killed Hong Changqing now, it would be pointless.

  "Lei Feng, you!"! Hong Changqing suddenly shouted loudly upon hearing this. He immediately sprang up and was about to pounce on Lei Feng, the chair under him crashing to the ground.

  "What are you going to do?!" Wang Chan exerted a sudden force with his hand, and Hong Changqing only felt a piercing pain in his shoulder, followed by a cracking sound. One of the bones on his shoulder had been broken again by Wang Chan. Instantly, he let out a blood-curdling scream, like a pig being slaughtered.

  "This is strange, Hong Changqing isn't usually so soft, previously he broke two arms and could endure it, how come this time he suddenly let out a loud wail? Ah no, not good." He was afraid that Wang Chan would make good on his threat, slap Hong Changqing to death, then rush downstairs and take hostages. Lei Feng had been speaking while simultaneously moving stealthily towards the door, wanting to be prepared in case something happened, so he could use his skills to hold back Wang Chan."

  Who would have thought that Hong Changqing suddenly changed his demeanor, letting out a series of mournful cries like a slaughtered pig. Lei Feng, as a national security officer, immediately sensed that something was amiss. However, he only sensed it but didn't see it. In that instant, Shao Nanhua, standing ten steps away from Wang Chan, took advantage of Hong Changqing's cries to make his move. As Wang Chan lowered his head to look, the hidden syringe in Shao's palm made a slight sound and shot out a fatal blow.

  Seven steel needles in Qī Xīng Zhēn Tǒng shot out completely under the manipulation of Shào Nán Huá's fingers!

  Within a distance of ten steps, seven dark-colored, high-speed spinning steel needles, faster than bullets, were shot out. The room was brightly lit, like daylight, and it was impossible to track the trajectory with the naked eye.

  Shao Nanhua knew that Wang Zhen had external hard qigong, and the air around his body made knives and guns unable to enter. However, the mechanism of the Seven Star Needle Tube was clever and powerful, with a force that was really too great. The seven cow hair steel needles were all made of special alloys, each worth at least over $10,000. They were tough, sharp, and could penetrate anything, even bulletproof glass and small finger-thick steel plates from 30-40 steps away, specializing in defeating all hard qigong under the sky.

  Except for the slight sound made by the machine at the beginning, after the seven-star needle was shot out, it was almost silent and invisible, only the net shot out of the needle tube, and immediately reached the left fifth rib space of Wang Chan's opposite side.

  Although it is a mechanical hidden weapon, wanting to hit the target every time still requires special techniques and arduous practice. It needs to be able to shoot out the hidden weapon at any time, in any place, and from various impossible angles, making it difficult for people to detect. Obviously, this is not a simple thing to do. Just like a handgun, anyone can use it by simply pulling the trigger, but not everyone can become a great shooter who never misses a shot. In the military, although there are many skilled marksmen, those who can truly master the art of shooting are rare.

  Sha Nanhua's Seven Star Needle was his exclusive hidden weapon. At first, to practice this skill, he spent a great deal of effort and even neglected his own fist skills and martial arts for many years. It wasn't until after more than a decade that he achieved today's accomplishments, with just one casual gesture, he could take someone's life. Just like the time he assassinated Wang Chan, the target was Wang Chan's left chest and heart, seven needles shot out at the same time, and as soon as they entered, it would be massive bleeding in the heart, dying instantly on the spot.

  Moreover, the timing chosen by Shao Nanhua just now was also perfect. It was precisely taking advantage of the opportunity created by Hong Changqing to divert his attention, and in that brief moment, only a master of the dark fist technique like him could grasp it clearly and distinguish it accurately.

  However, Shao Nanhua apparently still underestimated Wang Chan's abilities. At the same moment he pressed the trigger, Wang Chan, who was sternly scolding Hong Changqing, also felt a sense of foreboding.

  Since practicing the Taoist Nine-Turns Refining Dan method, Wang Chan's internal and external skills have greatly improved, with his senses and consciousness fully integrated. His five senses and six perceptions are now much more acute than before, and combined with his pure and crystalline spirit, he is always on high alert. Within a range of over ten meters in front of him, to his left and right, any slight movement or change in air pressure cannot escape his perception.

  This is actually a threshold that has already touched the highest level in boxing, with a few points of meaning similar to "the way of utmost sincerity can be known beforehand" as mentioned in Confucianism's Doctrine of the Mean.

  The Taoist school emphasizes the natural way, and Confucianism also has sincerity like a spirit. When converted into boxing martial arts, they are all general self-cultivation and character cultivation. However, in "the golden wind has not moved, the cicada senses it first; the spring river is warm, and the duck knows it first", there is a great subtlety.

  The opening sentence of the Doctrine of the Mean says, "What Heaven has decreed is called nature; to follow nature is called the Way; cultivating the Way is called education." What is meant by "sincerity" is the cultivation of one's true self. It involves being true to oneself and not pretending to be something one is not.

  "It is only the grand sincerity that can fulfill its own nature. Being able to fulfill its own nature, it can also fulfill human nature. Being able to fulfill human nature, it can also fulfill the nature of things. Being able to fulfill the nature of things, it can then assist in the transforming and nourishing powers of heaven and earth."

  One can praise the transformation and nourishment of heaven and earth, then one can discuss with heaven and earth as equals. In other words, when a person cultivates martial arts and fist techniques, their mind is pure and unified, not moved by external things. After a long time, they can interact with heaven and earth, and unite with the divine.

  Although Wang Chan has not yet reached this level, he has been open-minded and unaffected by external things since childhood. Since practicing boxing, he has been introspective at all times, firm in his mind, and now his boxing skills are divine. As for the misfortunes that threaten his own life, he also has a few points of keen perception.

  He didn't expect that Shao Nan-hua still had this hidden trick up his sleeve, and would dare to make a ruthless move against him at this time. This was equivalent to thoroughly tearing off the mask and going all-in. Wang Chan was in the State Guest House. Although he spoke fiercely enough to scare Lei Ting's face pale, after all, he was under the emperor's feet, and unless absolutely necessary, he definitely wouldn't resort to taking hostages.

  A martial artist, distinguishes between gratitude and resentment, does not vent anger on others, and does not bully the good. This is a rule that has been passed down for thousands of years. Wang Chan was in the capital city, everything had to be done with caution, how could he have thought that before summoning him, he hadn't killed anyone at the State Guesthouse, yet Sha Nan Hua had already made his move against himself, taking the initiative.

  No wonder the Hongmen can still thrive today, with its power and influence extending throughout the country, and having a powerful backer like Lin Yuanfang in the domestic arena.

  With a swish, Wang Chan's scalp was numb, his eyelids twitching violently, and the cold air around his mouth made his heart feel like it was being grasped in someone's hand. Instantly, he felt a spasm, and an electric-like sensation coursed through his entire body.

  No one could imagine how fast the Seven Star Needles were coming; all Wang Chan saw was a faint glint of cold light as the seven needle tips rose. The next steel needle had already shot to his chest.

  He couldn't allow him to have any evasive movements. Wang Chan's eyes stood upright, and in an instant, his whole body was filled with energy, and a layer of faint silver light appeared on his skin and bones all over his body.

  In the midst of a flurry of activity, I barely had time to cross my arms in front of my chest.

  "Clang, clang, clang!" A series of clear and crisp sounds of metal clashing echoed in the air. Seven steel needles made of cow hair shot out, all of them targeting Wang Chan's body. However, his Thirteen Taibao Quan skills had tempered his body to perfection, making it as hard as fine steel from head to toe. These seven star needles, which could pierce through steel plates, were unable to fully penetrate him.

  Only a flash of silver light, and two nails were nailed into Wang Chan's arms, penetrating the flesh for nearly half an inch.

  With a loud crash, Wang Zhen's face twisted in anger as he dropped his hands and stomped the ground fiercely. The earth shook violently, cracked open, and dust flew everywhere. Without even pulling out the steel needles on his arm, he charged at Shao Nan Hua like a madman.

  Before this blow, Wang Chan's arm swelled up high, his face dark and gloomy like water, obviously very dissatisfied with being ambushed by someone due to his momentary carelessness.

  But with his extraordinary horizontal swordsmanship and robust physical strength, he was still pierced by these steel needles, breaking through skin and flesh, and entering into the bones. It can be seen that Shao Nan's Seven Star Needles were indeed formidable to an extreme degree, posing a threat to his own life as a hidden weapon.

  Heaven knows if Shao Nanhua still has any tricks up his sleeve, so Wang Chan doesn't dare to slack off, and the ups and downs are all just a test of his tiger claws.

  But Shao Nan-hua, when shooting the hidden weapon, couldn't see the shadow of the steel needle either. He only saw that Wang Chan didn't fall to the ground as he had wished, but instead struggled desperately, and suddenly realized something was wrong, fearing he had lost his hand.

  It was too late for any action, and as soon as he looked up, he saw Wang Chan jumping over with a murderous look on his face!

  Wang Chan's sudden movement was swift and fierce, his anger propelling him forward. In the space of ten steps, he closed the distance in an instant, his speed rivaling that of a steel needle shot from a crossbow. His body generated a powerful gust of wind, which sent Lin Yuanshan tumbling to the ground, his clothes disheveled and his limbs flailing wildly as he rolled about in a most undignified manner.

  Wang Chan pounced over, still in mid-air, his feet not yet touching the ground. A large hand had transformed into a tiger claw, like a great roc spreading its wings, and swiped towards Shao Nan-hua's crown of the head.

  "Hiss"! A sharp, ear-piercing sound, like a scream that tore through the air, and on the tip of Wang Chanwu's thumb, a white gas column, as sharp as a knife, seemed to burst out, over an inch long.

  "Ah, how is this possible?" Shao Nan Hua only then realized that it wasn't his Seven Star Needles that Wang Chan had dodged, but rather one of them had struck with great force, yet none of them had pierced Wang Chan's heart. He was shocked and secretly wondered what kind of external hard qigong Wang Chan had practiced to be able to withstand even the Seven Star Needles. If so, wouldn't his body be able to block bullets?

  Fortunately, Shao Nanhua was also a seasoned veteran, with a heart as hard as iron and stone. Although he was surprised in his heart, he didn't delay the movements of his hands. As one of the top ten masters on the world's killer rankings, he had honed his skills to kill people. Although his martial arts were not as powerful as Wang Zhan's, the steel pen-like syringe in his hand suddenly ejected a sharp needle from its tail, with an unparalleled sharpness and cold light flashing.

  He slightly shifted his foot and stabbed towards Wang Chan's wrist.

  Hornet Tail Needle, Shao Nan Hua's another killing technique.

  But Wang Zhen's momentum was like a thunderbolt, and in his anger, he couldn't tolerate him counterattacking. He didn't dodge or evade, but instead opened his mouth and spat out a stream of air. With a hiss, a white gas condensed, resembling a strong arrow or crossbow bolt, shooting out of his mouth as fast as lightning, instantly piercing through Shao Nanhua's palm and sending the needle tube flying high into the air.

  Wudang Internal Elixir Big Toad Qi, Wang Chan used the skill of spitting out air to form a sword. One breath was spat out, within two meters, it could be compared to a sharp blade.

  Shao Nanhua let out a loud cry, her face as white as paper.

  Wang Chan took advantage of the opportunity to grab Sha Nan-hua's head with his tiger claw.

  Wang Chan's hand, with five fingers spread wide, was as big as a lotus leaf and could grasp a basketball without dropping it. This palm was pressed against his forehead, the five fingers falling down to rest on both temples.

  Then, Wang Chan pinched with force.

  With a crack, red and white flew everywhere. Sha Nanhua's entire head was crushed by him in one grasp, just like an egg that had been clenched in his palm suddenly cracked open, the yolk, whites, and shell splashing out and staining his hand.

  "Killing in the dark, death is not worth lamenting!" Wang Chan's feet landed on the ground, and another foot flew up to kick Sha Nanhua's chest. With a cracking sound, a series of broken bones, this great killer from the Hongmen was instantly kicked by him and flew ten meters away, crashing into the wall with a loud noise, like a painting of an immortal hanging in mid-air, stained with red and white paint, extremely bloody and miserable.

  "And you, die together!" Wang Chan shouted loudly, without stopping, his foot landed on the ground and immediately pounced back. Before Hong Changqing, who had rolled to the ground, could get up, he was already lifted off the ground by Wang Chan, with his feet dangling in mid-air, his neck caught in a tight grip.

  Just as he was about to use his five fingers to twist Hong Changqing's head to the back, he suddenly heard Lei Feng shouting loudly: "Wait, Wang Chan, don't kill him!" Turning his head, he saw Lei Feng looking at him with a shocked expression. His eyes narrowed, "What do you mean? These two are obviously colluding with each other, trying to take my life, their methods are despicable, they deserve to die ten thousand times, are you going to plead for them?"

  "No!" Lei Feng hastily explained: "If you kill him again, there will be no room for relaxation between you and the Hongmen. At that time, they will secretly hire a gunman, and even if you are made of iron, you can't dodge all the bullets. It's better to put everything on the surface. I have a plan here, see if it's feasible."

  "What's going on?" Wang Chan said in a low voice.

  "You killed Tang Niu in a martial arts competition, anyway, everyone is a Jianghu person, so let's follow the old rules. You go and have a life-and-death duel with the Hung Men. The Hung Men have had this rule since ancient times: grudges on the arena are settled on the arena, who lives or dies depends only on one's own skills. Don't believe me? Ask Hong Changqing."

  "Are you willing to fight with me?" Wang Chan furrowed his brow, looked up and saw that Hong Changqing was holding his hand, his face red and his nose thick, nodding vigorously at him, his eyes bulging out of their sockets like a goldfish out of water.

  As soon as he relaxed his hand, Hong Changqing thudded to the ground with a loud noise and began panting heavily. Staying up late to write code, everyone please collect and subscribe, if you have monthly tickets, don't hesitate to give me a few!! I absolutely won't say no to less!! Hehe!!